Carpentersville revokes separation deal with former manager

Carpentersville trustees have revoked a separation agreement previously offered to former village manager Mark Rooney, opting to instead accept what they consider his "voluntary resignation."

Rooney, who became manager in 2010, cleared out his office and stopped reporting to work earlier this month, Village President John Skillman said in a statement. Per village policy, he said, multiple days of unreported absence is deemed a voluntary resignation.

Carpentersville officials have been trying to negotiate a separation agreement with Rooney for weeks. The village board approved a deal Jan. 16, at which point Skillman said attorneys were finalizing the terms.

Rooney's employment was also the topic of special board meetings held Jan. 6, 20 and 24. The two parties were never able to reach an agreement, Skillman said.

During Wednesday's special meeting, trustees voted 4-2 to withdraw their offer and accept Rooney's resignation, effective Jan. 5. Trustees Paul Humpfer and Don Burroway cast the dissenting votes. Rooney could not be reached for comment.

In a Jan. 8 email obtained by the Daily Herald, Skillman told department leaders that Rooney would not be returning to work after he moved his belongings out of his office on Jan. 5 - the day before the village board held its first special meeting.

Skillman told the employees that Rooney requested a separation agreement, which was being worked out by attorneys, and advised them not to contact him. It is unclear why Rooney requested the agreement.

In his statement Thursday, Skillman said the village has been addressing whether Rooney was the "correct person" for the job. He said there have been "increasing and continuing concerns" regarding Rooney's communication, administrative decisions and financial responsibilities.

According to his employment agreement, Rooney is entitled to nine months' severance pay at his current annual salary of $176,710, plus benefits and some unused vacation/sick time, if he's fired after five years. Village Attorney Hart Passman said the board did not terminate Rooney, and his contract does not contain provisions for voluntary resignation.

The board's action does allow Rooney to keep benefits or payments he received from the village, if any, after Jan. 5, Passman said.

The village board has seen significant turnover since Skillman, a retired fire chief, was elected to his first term last spring. Newcomer Diane Lawrence was also elected to a trustee seat, and John O'Sullivan and Jeff Frost were later appointed by Skillman to fill board vacancies.

Rooney told the Daily Herald earlier this month that "elections have consequences," but he is leaving his position with a sense of accomplishment.

Assistant Village Manager Marc Huber was appointed to the interim manager position Jan. 16. Officials have not announced any plans to replace Rooney permanently.